Synthetic cathinones
Synthetic cathinones are a group of man-made substances similar to cathinone, which is a naturally occurring stimulant drug found in the plant, khat. They were originally sold over the internet as a ‘legal’ alternative to drugs like speed, ecstasy and cocaine. To avoid trouble with the police, sellers marked the cathinones they were selling as ‘not for human consumption’ and sold them as plant food or bath salts. All these substances are now illegal to supply and possess under UK law.
Mephedrone is the best-known type of synthetic cathinone but there are many more different types. Common slang terms for synthetic cathinones include ‘M-Cat’ or ‘monkey dust’.
Also called:
- Bath salts
- M-Cat
- Mephedrone
- Monkey Dust
What does it look like?
Most synthetic cathinones are found as either a fine white, off-white or yellowish powder or crushed crystals, but some can be brown in colour. They may also be sold as ecstasy in tablets or capsules without people knowing.
There are lots of different types of synthetic cathinones, and their effects may be different even though they look the same. Drugs sold or reported as ’monkey dust’ often contain a synthetic cathinone such as MDPHP, MDPV or alpha-PHP.
Synthetic cathinones are usually snorted like cocaine or wrapped in paper and swallowed (‘bombed’). They can also be found as capsules or pills and can be smoked or injected, though this is less common.
How does it make you feel?
Synthetic cathinones can make you feel happy, excited and more chatty. They can also make you feel more awake and alert. Some effects are similar to amphetamines (speed) and to MDMA (ecstasy).
These are also some bad effects that might happen, for example, feeling worried or panicky, feeling confused, shaking, headaches. In rare cases they cause hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), delusions (unrealistic thinking) and fits (seizures). There are many different synthetic cathinones, which makes their effects hard to predict, and some are more risky than others.
How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your body size and what other drugs you may have also taken. The time to feel effects from a synthetic cathinone and how long they last will be different depending on the type, but they tend to start quicker and be shorter than for MDMA and amphetamines.
Physical health risks
Taking synthetic cathinones does involve risks, which are similar to other stimulants. Here’s what they could do to you:
- Make your heart beat faster and increase your blood pressure which could damage the heart.
- Over-stimulate the nervous system and cause fits (seizures).
- Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to a synthetic cathinone.
- Synthetic cathinones can change the body's temperature. Dancing for long periods in a hot atmosphere, like a club, increase the chance of overheating and dehydration. Users should take regular breaks from the dance floor to cool down and watch out for any mates who are on it – as they might not realise they're in danger of overheating or getting dehydrated. In extreme cases, this could even cause death.
- Drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. This is because synthetic cathinones, similar to ecstasy, might stop your body making urine. If you drink too quickly you might affect the amount of salt in your body, which can be as deadly as not drinking enough water.
- Some synthetic cathinones, such as those found in monkey dust, can cause you to be aggressive or violent and behave unpredictably.
- Because the effects are so unpredictable, if you do decide to take synthetic cathinones, you should start by taking a small dose and wait for the effects to kick in before taking any more – you may find that the first dose is enough.
- Injecting synthetic cathinones, or sharing injecting equipment, can spread blood-borne viruses, such as HIV or hepatitis C. There is also the risk that veins may be damaged and an infection or clot may develop. Injecting drugs is generally a more dangerous way to take drugs and might cause you to overdose.
Mental health risks
- They can make you anxious and paranoid and in rare cases can make you have hallucinations.
- You may feel low or depressed after using synthetic cathinones.
What are Synthetic cathinones cut with?
As with all drugs you can never be sure of what you’re buying and what might be in the drug. Sometimes one synthetic cathinone is mixed with another synthetic cathinone and/or caffeine. Synthetic cathinones may also be added with other drugs like MDMA (sold as ecstasy pills) or cocaine so you may not know that you are taking them.
Is it dangerous to mix with other drugs?
Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.
What happens if I mix Synthetic cathinones and
Can you get addicted?
Yes. This could mean you may want to take more of a drug than you meant to. After a while, you might also need to take more of the drug to get the same effect.
The most well know cathinone is mephedrone and users have reported that once they have started a session, they can find it very difficult to stop until they’ve used their entire supply.
Class: B
This is a Class B drug, which means it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.
Possession can get you up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.
If the police catch people supplying illegal drugs in a home, club, bar or hostel, they can potentially prosecute the landlord, club owner or any other person concerned in the management of the premises.
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